Sr. R&D Engineer - Small Appliances (SDA)

Job Summary:

Midea America Corp., is one of the world’s largest home appliance brands, offering the most comprehensive selection of products in the world to fully serve the needs of day-to-day living at home, at work, or anywhere else you go. In North America we strive to aim high, put the customer first, transform and innovate the marketplace, utilizing our commitment, dedication, inclusion, and partnership with our teams. Midea America is a subsidiary of the Midea Group, a global company with over 150,000 employees and operations in more than 195 countries. As a publicly listed company, we are ranked #245 as a Fortune Global 500 company and offer one of the most comprehensive product portfolios in the industry. To continue to strengthen its base and support its growth in the US, Midea is expanding its Research and Innovation capabilities.

In an effort to support this growth the Small Appliances division (SDA) has opened a new position for a Senior R&D Engineer - Small Appliances (SDA) at the Midea America Research Center (MARC) in Louisville, KY.

The R&D Engineer will be responsible for the direction of all countertop cooking appliances including the following:

Air Fryers

Electric Grills

Electric Pressure Cookers

Slow Cookers

Multi-Cookers

Rice Cookers

Food Processors

Stand Mixers

As a key member of the Small Appliances R&D Team in the US, this role will be guiding the decision-making of major R&D programs and issues, fueling innovation pipelines, and systematically solving key consumer pain points and coordinating global activities to enhance Midea’s portfolio of product offerings.

Essential Job Responsibilities:

Drive innovation and development of market-leading small cooking appliances for the US market.

Design, initiate, and lead research projects to deliver the next generation of products for the US market based on consumer insights and technology trends.

Take a hands-on approach regarding advanced development and prototyping to prove feasibility.

Collaborate with R&D Leadership, Marketing, Consumer Insights, Industrial Design, Sales and Quality in developing and maintaining multi-generational technical innovation roadmap.

Act as the voice of consumer (VOC) throughout the entire R&D process.

Lead group brainstorming and innovation sessions.

Meet with customers to understand potential product offerings and associated requirements. Lead team to convert these customer needs into viable product strategies.

Create intellectual property portfolio protecting technology and innovations.

Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

5+ years of experience in research and development, product development, and/or innovation in home appliances, consumer goods, or related industry.

Bachelor’s Degree or above in Engineering or related field.

Proven experience of translating consumer pain points into product innovation.

Proficient in SolidWorks, Creo, and other 3D CAD software.

Prototype fabrication and evaluation skills.

Domestic and international experience and multi-cultural mindset.

Experience working in teams. Leading and coaching skills preferred.

Excellent communication, motivation, and coordination skills.

Goal oriented and self-managed personality with a strong entrepreneurial spirit.

Strong problem solving and risk management skills.

Domestic and International travel will be required.

Midea America Corp, is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.